Lumber sorter



J. M. LEAVER ET AL LUMBER SORTER Filed Feb. 15

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Patented Sept. 4, 1923.

JAMES M. LEAVEB AND cert j LUMBER son rnn. I

Application filed February 13, 1923. Serial No. 618,858.

T 0 all whom it may concern. 7 7

Be it known that we, J AMnsM. Lnavnn and JAMES M. LEAVER, Jr., citizens of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Lumber Sorter, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in sorting machinery, especially of a type adapted to sort a mixed delivery of cut lumber in batches of uniform width or length, or both, and has for its particular object the overcoming of much hand labor previously employed in connection with such work, and thereby reducing the cost of sorting and making it feasible to separate, by mechanical means, pieces of lumber into predetermined assortment thereby eliminating much labor at present used to obtain this result.

The ob]ect of our invention, as above mentioned, is achieved through the apparatus described hereinafter andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the invention consists primarily of a long, horizontal, chain slat conveyor for dragging the miscellaneous pieces of lumber, placed transversely on rails, along the rails overnu nerous :bins, and of rotating selective devices co-operating with the conveyor tor tripping the various size boards off of the rails and.

into the bins. Each bin receivinga cer tain predetermined size board,- though, at the option of operator, the selective devices can be set so as to engage more than one width of board otany predetermined length so as to deposit in one bin two or more widths. c 'Figure 1 in the drawing is a plan view of a portion of the machine. arrangedro'r several separations.

Figure 2 is an end cross section view of Figure 1 and shows the arrangement of lumber supporting rails in relationto the rotatingtripping fingersj p 7 Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional drawing of the special supporting rail or step ra1l,. in operative relation to the rotatlng tripping fingers, and shows one of the fingers mounted on a disk hub center.

Figure 4 is an equally enlarged plan view of a portion of the step rail showing a finger in the act of striking a board, but in a slightly diiterent position than would be the case with the finger disks shown in Figures 1 and 3 as will later be explained.

Figure 5 shows an optional gear may be used in placeyof the chain and sprocket drives indicated in Figure 1.

In further detail it will be seen by reference to Figure 1, a plan view of a lumber sorter having, for illustrative purposes only three steps forlength-separationof four width separations each, respectively, (in practice the apparatus being extended with its parts multiplied to separateas many lengths and widths as may be predetermined) that a series of bins 1, open on top, has a traveling two strand chain conveyor 2 passingover it. The conveyor is endless and is carried over the sprockets 3,

pieces of lumber are dragged over the bins while sliding upon supporting rails 6.

At 7 is indicated a chute, down whiclifithe mixed lumber is fed to the conveyor. 8 is a short straightedge fixed to akplatform just preceding thebins, and against g drive between a parrot, tripping shafts, which v 3- and 1, 4 at theends of the bin series passing which straight edge an attendant places one 7 end of whatever piece of lumber happens to be handy in the chute, observing atv the sametime that butone piece liesqonthe conveyor between two slats, unless therattendant places two or more pieces of the same length and width against the straight edge and the face-ct slat, several such pieces of lumber beingindicated at 9.

The conveyor is in constant motion, adk

vancingin; the direction of the arrow, carrying the pieces of lumber over the binsv with their ends resting over the "rails 6.

One of these rails designated 10 is of step sect1on; as better'shown incross section in" Figure 3, a'ndis .set in staggered lengths over certain groups of bins for several widths of liimber of; a given length. A,

As the lumber advances, on account of a point will be reached where one end of a piece of lumber will fall from the upper 10s the staggered arrangement of the rail 10, V

to the lower step of rail 10 and will then be in a position to be struck by one or the fingers of the revolving selective devices 11, forced off of the lower step of the rail and dropped one end first into the bin beneath, but usually directed by a baillc to proper position in the bin.

The selective devices are carried on sha its 12 arranged in staggered relation like the step rail, and are driven by sprockets 13 through chains 14 from sprockets 11.5 on a power shaft 16 receiving its power from any convenient source. The shaft 16 is also geared at 17 to the conveyor drive or head shaft 18 to actuate the conveyor through the sprockets 3, 3 secured to the shaft.

All other sprockets on the conveyor excepts those mentioned, are on idler shafts,

being for support and guidance only.

In Figure 2, a cross section of the appara' tus, the position of the related elements described is clarified, and in Figure 3 the step rail is shown in enlarged section with the end of a piece of lumber 9 dropped to the lower step 10 ofthe rail and about to be pushed off by the finger 19 ot' the selective device or trip 11, to tall into a bin beneath, but whether it will be struck by the finger 1.9 or not depends on the width of the piece of lumber and the position at which the linger is set on the disk hub 11 keyed to the shaft 12.

The disk and finger operates through a slot 20 in the rail as shown in Figure 3, and the disks are provided with a series of holes 21 in order to permit of placing the finger in diii erent positions so as to strike different widths of lumber, each set of disks for a given length of lumber having the fingers arranged to successively push off, first, the widest pieces, then decreasing widths, the last bin of each series having no disk but receiving all narrow width pieces passed by the selective devices preceding. The lower step of the rail 1.0 is cut away over the last bin in each series, or the rail omitted entirely at thosc points to permit of the pieces falling.

in practice, since the conveyor travels rapidly, the staggered points of the step rail l0 precede somewhat the bin, so as to give the lumber ends time in which to fall to the lower step of the rail before the advance of the striking finger otthe selective device.

Figure is a plan view showing. an optional' setting ot the selective device, set away from the first edgeot' the bin a definite distanceto insure a definite width of lumber being struck by it. In this arrangement all the fingers of all the devices would be in the same plane and all strike at once. but with the first method described and shown the shock is divided by successive striking, as the fingers are in difierent rotative "relation on the various disks. but all are set the same distance from the bin edges, relying for selective etlect on the difi'erent time at which they arrive in striking position. 7

In Figure 5 is shown an optional gear drive connecting a pair of the staggered shafts 12, which may be used in place of the individual chain drives shown in Figure 1 if desired. Q As will readily be been from a study of this specification, this apparatus is one capable of wide modifications and may be used for the separation of material other than lumber, where automatic separation of lengths and widths is desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and we therefore feel entitled to the following claims. I

o claim v 1. In a lumber sorter, a'series of bins, an endless traveling conveyor arranged to convey lumberacross the top 01 the bins, said conveyor passing over the bins, around the ends and returning under the bins, and a plurality'ot selective tripping devices spaced over the bins along the conveyor operatively geared thereto in positive relation to a plurality of definite points on said conveyor and chains, transversely disposed spaced cleats connected to said chains for travel therewith. selective devices spaced along and op-- eratively connected to the conveyor and respectively timed to operate at various deli-c nite distances from the advance edges of said cleats. I

4. In a sorting apparatus, a series of bins, a traveling conveyor arranged 'a bove*andf passing over said bins adapted to convey miscellaneous size shapes thereover, and a plurality of selectivetripping devices over said bins spaced along said conveyor opera;

l in

tively connected therewith for positive" ac tion in relation to a plurality of definite points on said conveyor and adapted to trip selectively, substantially said conveyor, respectivelygto sma lness In a sorting apparatus, a series "of bins, a, power actuated travelii'ig conveyor far ranged over said bins adapted to convey miscellaneous size pieces of lumber across said bins, and a plurality of selective tripping devices over said bins spaced along said conveyor operatively connected there'- similar shapes-from with for positive action in relation to a ph rality of definite points on said conveyor and operative against an end of the lumber pieces for tripping them from the conveyor to the bins. i I p I i 6. In alumbe'r sorter of the character described, a traveling conveyor adapted toconvey miscellaneous size pieces of lumber transversely arranged thereon, a plurality of tripping devices spaced along said conveyor and operatively connected for positive a'ck and operatively connected for positive ac' tion therewith in relation to a plurality of definite points on said conveyor, said tripping devices being variously positioned with respect to said points to respectively trip from said conveyor pieces of substantially similar width.

8. In a lumber sorter of the class de scribed, a traveling conveyor adapted to convey miscellaneous size pieces of lumber transversely arranged thereon, a plurality.

of tripping devices spaced along said conveyor and operatively connected for positive action therewith in relation to a plurality of definite points on said conveyor, said tripping devices being variously positioned laterally and longitudinally of the conveyor with respect to said points to respectively trip from said conveyor pieces of substantially similar length and width.

In a lumber sorter, a plurality of rails, a stepped rail arranged in staggered lengths, a traveling conveyor adapted to convey various size pieces of cut lumber along said rails while lying transversely thereon and successively drop an end of various length pieces to the lower step of said stepped rail, rotating trips spaced along said stepped rail operatively connected with the conveyor and adapted to strike the end of apiece of himber riding on the lower step of the rail and drop it from the conveyor.

10. In a lumber sorter, a traveling conveyor adapted to convey miscellaneous size pieces of cut lumber, a feeding guide for aligning one end each of different size pieces, tripping devices spaced along the conveyor operatively connected therewith and adapted to operate against the misaligned ends of said pieces.

11. In a lumber sorter, a series of horizontallv disposed bins, an endless traveling conveyor supported on top of said bins, passing over the bins, around the ends and returning under the bins, said conveyor being adapted to convey miscellaneous .size'pieces of cut lumber over said b ins,-selecti-ve tripping de' vices over someot'f'the bins operatively co n nected with said conveyor for positive action therewith and adapted, each respectively, to I release one end eachfr'espectively, of a predetermined size'piece "of 'lumber't'rom said conveyor'an'd precipitate i t;released end first into'abin. r

[12. In a lumber sort-er, a traveling conveyor adapted ;to convey various length and. i

width'pieces of'cut lumber transversely arranged'thereon, aplurality of selective tripping devices along said conveyor operatively connectedthereto for positive action therewith in relation to a plurality of definite points thereon, said tripping devices being variously positioned laterally and longitudinally of the conveyor and operatively variously timed in relation to said definite points adapted to trip successively from the Y conveyor in spaced positions, ieces of lumber of successively increasing length in batches of successively decreasing widths.

, 13. In a lumber sorter, supporting rails, means for moving miscellaneous size pieces of lumber along said rails whilst supported transversely thereon, selective devices spaced along the line of travel adapted to strike someof said pieces of lumber and move them transversely of the rails and throw one end "from a supporting rail. 7 e v 14, In a, lumber sorter, a series of laterally arranged bins, an endless traveling lumber conveyor operatively arranged to pass over the top of the bins, around the ends, and return under the bins;

15. In a lumber sorter, a traveling lumber conveyor, a plurality of selective tripping devices spaced along the conveyor operatively geared thereto for positive action therewith in relation to a plurality of definite points on said conveyor and adapted to trip lumber from the conveyor.

16. Ina lumber sorter of the class described embracing a traveling lumber conveyor, a selective tripping device operatively geared for positive action with the conveyor in relation to a plurality of definite points thereonembracing a revolvable striker adapted tostrike the end of a piece of lumber placed on the conveyor in relation to one of said definite points. i

17. In a lumber sorter of the class de scribed, a selective tripping device embracing a revolvable disk, a'lumber striking fin ger thereon adapted for setting in various circumferential positions around said disk.

'18. In a sorter for out lumber, a plurality of supporting rails embracing upper and lower rails, a conveyor for moving various size pieces of lumber along said rails, some of said'upper rails being arranged to drop an end of certain length pieces of lumber to a lower r2111, and means co-opere'tlng mth the conveyor for pushing the pieces 'e'hdwise ber therefrom and dronp'ing itfherefrom ber 10 tween sold strands.

20. In a lumber sorter of the 'i lh transverse slats connecting same ararjged to drag lumber along said tracks laid tr nsversely thereon, tripping" means ge rel arr nged to trifi'lumber from {she conveyor dropping it therefrom between said strands of chain. V a e AE/ ES EA JAMES LEAVER, J R.

cribed, lumber supporting tracks, a drag onveyor eomprlsmg spaced strands oi eham or posi tive action with the conveyor 

